Driving Directions: From downtown Houston, take I-10 east 20 miles past Beltway 8 to the Cove Exit/ FM 565. This is exit 803, immediately before the bridge across Old and Lost Rivers and the high Trinity River Bridge. Turn left on FM 565 and go north 3.3 miles to FM 1409. Turn right onto FM 1409 and go 3.3 miles to CR 417 (Parkway St.) It's marked with a Wildlife Refuge sign. Turn right onto a small paved road which will turn into an asphalt road after about a mile, and go straight another mile from there. When you dead end into the park, there are two launch sites just a few hundred feet apart. Check left and right for cars with kayaks. We will begin the paddle on Pickett's Bayou, on the right side.
Lat/Long of put-in: 29.55.277 / 94.47.951
Refuge Website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/trinity_river/
Trip Details: 6 -8 miles for both paddling areas. Trip Rating 1 but any strong north wind could make it a 2. Please allow time and arrive early enough to unload, park and launch at 10:00. There are two different adjacent areas, separated by a narrow levee from which to launch. Pickett's Bayou is lined by hardwood forested wetlands, and Champion Lake is small and filled with Cypress trees. There are 6 parking spaces near the Lake and then a larger parking area up a nearby hill--we are requested to park there after unloading our boats. There is also a small fishing pier, 2 nature trails, and a single portapotty.
Hazards: The launch areas for Pickett's Bayou and for Champion Lake are small but concrete. Besides that, it's normal SE Texas alligator habitat with wasps, alligators, snakes and bugs. Maybe some feral hogs.
Contact: John Grisaffi 281-714-7171 cell
| Trip Leader |
John Grisaffi
|
| Trip Assistants |
|
| Trip Rating* |
1-2 |
| Ready to Launch at |
1000 |
| Duration (hours) |
3.5 |
| Paddling Miles |
6 -8 |
| Emergency Initiator |
|
| Emergency Phone #s |
|
| Latest Expected Return |
1400 |
| Auto Description/Lic # |
bronze Subaru forester, FGM4959 |
| Distance from Houston |
30 miles |
* Trip ratings are only a guide. Actual conditions will vary with wind and other weather.
This is an ACA sanctioned event. Every participant must wear a PFD.
Waivers - Please complete our easy to use online waiver if you are a HASK member who has not signed a waiver within the last 12 months or a non- HASK participant. Read the waiver carefully. You give up substantial rights when you sign it.
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ACA-HASK Adult Waiver ACA-HASK Minor Waiver
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Guests – You are welcome to join us for a couple of paddle trips. HASK will cover the $5 ACA event membership for non-ACA members. Hopefully you will then join HASK and continue paddling with us.